The mere exposure effect, also known as the familiarity principle, is a psychological phenomenon that significantly influences our decision-making processes. It acts as a beneficial cognitive mechanism, conserving our energy by directing our focus elsewhere, as adjusting to novelties can be mentally taxing. Consequently, we tend to gravitate towards brands we're accustomed to, unless we've had a notably adverse experience with them. This is a key reason why businesses invest heavily in advertising and marketing, and why some insurance firms can afford to charge their existing customers more than newcomers.
Contrary to the belief that we only covet what we're already familiar with, some studies indicate that when we're prompted to express our preferences, we might perceive less familiar options as more appealing. However, when it comes to making a choice, we often revert to what we're aware of. This could account for the discrepancies between our desires and actions, such as returning to companies that have previously provided poor service or remaining in unsatisfactory relationships.
It may be tempting to view the familiarity principle as an adversary, something to be overcome as it might seem to impede our progress toward realizing our aspirations. Yet, adopting such a stance could be counterproductive, as it nudges us toward macro-level thinking where change is perceived as requiring a drastic, dramatic shift that we might not feel prepared for. Some literature suggests that the antidote to the frustration stemming from familiarity is to immerse oneself completely in new experiences. While this might seem effective in the short term, it could lead to merely exchanging one set of problems for another, with the added risk of feeling overwhelmed and experiencing burnout.
What if, instead, we could harness the familiarity principle to our advantage? Familiarity is not just a constraint but also a foundation for creativity and a conduit for growth. We can gradually extend our comfort zone. By conceptualizing familiarity as something that can be broadened, we can alter the conditions within and around our lives to create more space for our preferences to take root and flourish gradually. From this perspective, we will begin to make choices from an increasingly rich reservoir of valuable alternatives.